As Saw X unexpectedly emerges as a critical success, boasting an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes as the first “fresh” installment in the Saw franchise, it’s clear that a substantial effort was invested in making this film stand out. While the traps showcased in this installment are among the most intriguing in the series, their effectiveness wouldn’t be the same without meticulous sound design. One member of the editing team, in particular, played a pivotal role in perfecting this aspect of the film, to the point where it prompted a visit from the local police.

According to Saw X director Kevin Greutert, who spoke with NME, the first assistant editor, Steve Forn, was engrossed in the sound design when an unexpected interruption occurred—a visit from the local police, who were not there to play games. Greutert recounted the incident, stating, “There was a knock at the door… We have the doorbell [camera] video of the police walking up, [Forn answering the door] and the police saying, ‘The neighbors [have been] calling and saying someone’s being tortured to death in here.’ And he was like, ‘Actually, I’m just working on a movie… You can come in and see it if you want?’ The cops started laughing! They said, ‘We want to but, you know, you’re all right.’ It must have been a pretty realistic performance!” It turns out that the Saw X clip Forn was working on featured the eye vacuum trap, which had also been prominently featured in much of the movie’s publicity.

Saw X is anticipated to earn between $15-20 million in its opening weekend, placing it on the lower end of the franchise’s box office performance. Nevertheless, its critical acclaim may make up for the financial figures, offering a reason for celebration among the filmmakers. Interestingly, Kevin Greutert also directed Saw 3D (also known as Saw: The Final Chapter), which currently holds the lowest Rotten Tomatoes rating in the series at just 9%. Additionally, Saw X is one of the few films in the franchise, alongside Spiral, that hasn’t been released in October. Serving as a direct sequel to the original Saw movie, Saw X explores new territory within the established narrative.

Have you had the opportunity to watch Saw X on the big screen yet? How do you think the traps in this installment compare to those in previous entries?